My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and

is so pretty,

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is

to be a little

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

her eyes

Rachel must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t

her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew

say thank you!”

like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was

Rachel finally smiled for

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for the

me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder

turned and

was inside her apartment and about to close the

slam, the door was propped open by

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on

sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying

you’ve been getting along fine without

took two steps back. Why are

as he pulled off his necktie and threw

suppose you wouldn’t want

by step he approached her, forcing her

idea what she did

staggered after him